JCF’s Domestic Violence Intervention Unit on cross-country tour

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Domestic Violence Intervention Unit began their month-long Cross Country Tour yesterday.

The JCF launched the tour in 2024 as part of its ongoing effort to combat domestic violence and raise awareness across communities.

National Domestic Violence Intervention Liaison Officer at the JCF, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jacqueline Dillon, said that the tour is meant to educate, engage and empower citizens on identifying and preventing domestic violence.

“The tour is really to give people information around domestic violence. Many people think that domestic violence is the physical violence only, but there are other components. It’s informing them that there are groups they can go to for help, even if they don’t come to the JCF. It’s letting them know there’s always a better way to dealing with violence in the home,” DSP Dillon said.

Since 2021, the JCF has been strategically reviewing domestic violence across the island due to its significant contribution to murders. It is attributed to homicides in parishes that would not normally experience certain types of murder.

Recognising Jamaica’s love for music and entertainment, the JCF will incorporate its JCF Band into the pop-up events, drawing in crowds and delivering key messages through entertainment.

“Music naturally attracts people. Once they gather, we take that opportunity to educate and provide resources,” said DSP Dillon.

The tour, which runs until February 27, will feature afternoon pop-up engagements from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in high-traffic areas across key parishes and police divisions.

Stops include: St Elizabeth (Santa Cruz, Camric Hardware) on February 14; St James (Harbour City Shopping Centre) on February 18; St Catherine North (LOJ Shopping Centre) on February 21; and Kingston Central in downtown Kingston under the Big Tree on February 27.

Yesterday, the team was in Kingston Eastern.

DSP Dillon said these parishes were selected for the tour, as they have recorded high cases of domestic violence over the past three years, with St Catherine North consistently reporting more than 1,000 annually at the Domestic Violence (DV) Support Centres.

“The parishes that we are looking at are those that peek out at us, because of the number of incidents that are reported in these parishes. Last year we went to Manchester, and we had a number of incidents in Manchester last year. We are coming to these parishes because this is where our focus is on for this year,” DSP Dillon said.

The JCF is also partnering with government agencies, social organisations, and financial institutions to provide holistic support. Some of the key partners include the Bureau of Gender Affairs, Social Development Commission, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica AIDS Support for Life and Restorative Justice Centres.

“We sometimes carry financial institutions, because there are varying things that result in domestic violence,” DSP Dillon added.

Jamaicans are encouraged to attend the pop-up events, engage with officers, and learn how to support victims or seek help.

“I want you to come and get the message. Don’t come and stay away. There may be a situation that we need to intervene in. This is an opportune time for you to come and say you need help, because many people will not necessarily go to the DV centre because they are afraid of people seeing them going. Let us speak and break the silence,” DSP Dillon said.